7.62NATO bullets and jackets question...

[M77B1]

I've noticed that some 7.62NATO surplus such as FNM and Hirtenberger stick to a magnet right through the copper jacket; others (such as some S.African I have) don't.

Will the bullets with the thinner jackets wear the barrel much quicker,or is the bullet steel under the copper appreciably softer than most rifle barrel steel and nothing to worry about?

[Dano]

The bullets have copper washed mild steel jackets.

The copper wash acts as both a lubricatant and anti-rust agent.

The steel jackets are very soft, much softer than barrel steel, and will not harm your barrel anymore than a full copper jacket will.



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If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.

[hagar]

Elephant rifles shoot monolithic solids, which is almost solid brass, without barrel wear. What does wear your barrel is caused by the erosion of the hot gases, it acts almost like a blow torch. The hotter your barrel gets, the more damage you cause. Keep your barrel cool, clean it regularly using proper cleaning methods, and you should have a service life of at least 10,000 rounds, more for a chrome lined barrel.

[This message has been edited by hagar (edited March 16, 2001).]

[M77B1]

Thanks,guys.

I wasn't too worried about it,but I've got a sh*tload of FNM on hand. Military organisations can replace barrels easily,but I'm not anxious to find replacement barrels for my .308 Yugo AK and Galil; can't pick 'em up at the corner gunshop.